Sichuan Citizen

4 Photos

by Stephanie Sherrill
on Monday, April 20, 2009 12:00 AM

My girlfriend and I settled into our chairs amongst the 1930's era posters, red lanterns and light wood walls; I enjoyed a refreshing Ginger Splash (45RMB) made with muddled ginger and vodka while my friend loved the sweet Yuzi Smash (45RMB) made of a citrus yuzi fruit and tequila. Our drinks arrived with umbrellas, a nice touch to compliment the cheerful ambiance of Sichuan Citizen, a new Sichuan restaurant opened recently by the folks who brought us Citizen Café.

We opened the menu and happily discovered that the English translations on the menu were clear and meaningful with descriptive adjectives. They also employ a "thumbs up" icon to help the undecided and a 1, 2, 3 pepper system to guide those looking for (or avoiding) the Sichuan spice.

Aside from the décor, fun drinks, and practical menu we found the food prepared by the Sichuan provincial chefs to exceed our expectations. The tender Home Style Spicy Free-Range Chicken (28RMB), a classic Sichuan dish, balances sour, sweet, and spicy flavors in an irresistible combination. The traditional Ma Po Doufu dish (18RMB) was prepared with ground pork and was addictively numbing. To cool down our mouths we also ordered the tasty, non-spicy Asparagus Lettuce (10RMB). One of the more beautifully presented dishes was the Grilled Whole Fish (68RMB). It was cooked with peppers creating a crispy and spicy skin while the meat remained extremely tender. Another favorite was the Dry Cauliflower with Sichuan Bacon (20RMB).

With great Sichuan food in a nice, classy atmosphere, Citizen has created another success with this latest addition to the Donghu Lu restaurant street.

The Bottom Line:
This clean restaurant serves great Sichuan food in a nice, classy atmosphere.